7.10 Diplomacy and Peace Movements

Balance of power keeps the peace

After 1815, European states relied on balance of power diplomacy to avoid another continent-wide war like the Napoleonic Wars. The Congress System (Concert of Europe) had powers meet to settle disputes diplomatically. Later, alliances like the Triple Alliance and Triple Entente aimed to deter aggression, though they eventually contributed to WWI's escalation.

Peace movements and internationalism grow

Rising industrial warfare's destructiveness spurred peace movements. Ivan Bloch predicted future wars would be catastrophic stalemates. The Hague Conferences (1899, 1907) sought rules for arbitration and limiting weapons. Alfred Nobel endowed the Nobel Peace Prize. Groups like the Second International promoted working-class internationalism, arguing workers shared no interest in nationalist wars.

Militarism and alliances undermine diplomacy

Despite peace efforts, militarism, nationalism, and rigid alliance systems increased tension. Arms races (especially naval, like Britain vs. Germany) and crises in the Balkans and Morocco tested diplomacy. Secret treaties and mobilization plans (e.g., the Schlieffen Plan) made localized conflicts likely to escalate, showing peace movements could not overcome entrenched rivalries.

Key terms

Concert of Europe

System after 1815 in which great powers met in congresses to maintain balance of power and prevent large-scale war.

Hague Conferences

1899 and 1907 meetings aiming to establish international arbitration and limit weapons, reflecting growing peace movements.

Ivan Bloch

Analyst who predicted industrial-era wars would become costly, devastating stalemates rather than quick victories.

Second International

Socialist organization promoting working-class internationalism, arguing workers had no interest in nationalist wars.

Schlieffen Plan

Germany's military strategy for a rapid two-front war; exemplified how alliance systems and rigid planning increased risk of escalation.

Try an AP-style question

The Hague Conferences of 1899 and 1907 sought to…

1. unify Germany
2. start a European war
3. divide Africa
4. limit arms and set rules of war